Philosophy and India

Ancestors, Outsiders, and Predecessors

A. Raghuramaraju

Unique comparative analysis of philosophers; focuses on the strengths and limitations of Indian and Western Philosophy and their understanding of each other

Explores the works of seven important philosophers of India

Philosophy and India

Ancestors, Outsiders, and Predecessors

A. Raghuramaraju

Description

This book critically assesses the contributions of the country's leading academic philosophers by analysing the strengths and limitations that characterize the practice of philosophy in India. It focuses on their discussions of modernity, colonialism, classical Indian philosophy, and modern Western philosophy. Divided into three sections, the first discusses the works of Krishna Chandra Bhattacharyya and Akeel Bilgrami, and their project of offering Indian solutions to Western philosophical problems. The second part deals with Daya Krishna's attempts to engage traditional Indian philosophy in a dialogue with Western philosophy and Satchidananda Murty's assessment of the state of philosophy in Indian universities. The author argues how both failed to look at the works
of Vivekananda, Aurobindo, and Gandhi, who had more successfully engaged with their predecessors as well as 'outsiders'. Finally, the book explores the attempts to absorb Buddhism into Hinduism in the works of Ananda K. Coomaraswamy and S. Radhakrishnan, as well as the counter arguments posed by Ambedkar and T.R.V. Murty. The debates highlighted in this book will make the reader aware of the structures and paradigms of philosophy as practised in India.

Philosophy and India

Ancestors, Outsiders, and Predecessors

A. Raghuramaraju

Table of Contents

Introduction Part I: Indian Solutions to Western Problems 1. Advaita to Kant2. Gandhi to Western Moral Philosophy3. Epic for EthicsPart II: Ancestors and Predecessors 4. The Texts on Sabbatical5. Philosophy in IndiaPart III: Denying the Difference 6. Buddhism in Hinduism7. Buddhism in Indian PhilosophyConclusion Glossary References Index

Philosophy and India

Ancestors, Outsiders, and Predecessors

A. Raghuramaraju

Author Information

A. Raghuramaraju is Professor in the Department of Philosophy at the University of Hyderabad.